Carter, 28, was a marvel in the middle of the summer and finished with the best statistics of his major league career. He hit 37 home runs with a .227 batting average. But the 20 home runs he hit in July and August, coupled with a .289 average in July and .277 in August, opened eyes everywhere.

Arbitration-eligible for the first time as a super-two player, Carter earned his first seven-figure contract.

MLBTradeRumors.com has a typically spot-on projection system that pegged Carter to receive $3.5 million, a figure he exceeded. His situation is uncommon because of his tremendous power and his past performance, which prior to midsummer included a lot of power but also a lot of unfulfilled potential. Can he repeat in 2015?

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Players are typically arbitration-eligible after three years of service time in the majors. But some, including Carter in this instance, reach that plateau after two years. Arbitration-eligible players remain under team control but become progressively more expensive ahead of free agency, which arrives after six years of service time.

The players and the club have to exchange figures by Friday, a deadline that often brings a flurry of deals.

Arbitration hearings, which are rarely held because the sides typically settle, would take place in February if needed.

ESPN to air

home opener

ESPN said it will air the Astros' home opener April 6 against Cleveland as part of a four-game opening-day schedule.

The Indians-Astros game will begin at 6 p.m., the third game on a schedule that includes Blue Jays-Yankees and Mets-Nationals and concludes with Giants-Diamondbacks. The first three games will air on ESPN and the nightcap on ESPN2.

Cardinals-Cubs on April 5 will be ESPN's first Sunday night game of the season.